jso2897:Guy belongs to something called "The Friendly Atheist" some atheist club, I assume - he was donating on their behalf, as best I can understand the wretchedly written article. Possiblysaid it on the check, maybe?

IsOckham'sOccam's Razor a concept, y'know.you know?

jso2897: Or it's a blog, or a hate group, or something. This is a terrible article. I swear to God that I read stuff on the Internets every day that my 8th grade composition teacher would have flunked me for.which my 8th grade composition teacher would have flunked me.

I don't see how the park group views rejecting the donation as avoiding a first amendment issues, as they said... it seems like if anything rejecting it would cause one. They already painted the original dispute AND the donation that this money was meant to replace as 'speech', so why isn't this donation also speech?

FatherChaos:r1niceboy: But those extremist atheists just drink beer and talk about outer space. Shameful.

[mindfuldigressions.files.wordpress.com image 325x325]

True, there are no militant atheists. Endlessly self important, sneering, dismissive and just waiting to tell you how self assuring their sense of superiority is, but I don't see them blowing up kids at bus stops.

bunner:True, there are no militant atheists. Endlessly self important, sneering, dismissive and just waiting to tell you how self assuring their sense of superiority is, but I don't see them blowing up kids at bus stops.

I probably ought to educate you on that matter, but I sense that the knowledge would be wasted on someone as close minded as you. /Goes off to a bus stop to blow up kids, anyway.

AgentPothead:In the late 21st century religious belief will be classified as a neurological disorder. I just wish I was born 100 years later.

"Religious belief" is the result of our evolution as a social animal, and the development of our parital and temporal lobes.

Until humans evolve into "something else", we're not going to get rid of religion. And attempts to do so are inherently more destructive to a society than that religion was ever itsself. (See USSR, Peri-War and WWII Germany, Ottoman Empire, Crusades, China, Cambodia)

hardinparamedic:AgentPothead: In the late 21st century religious belief will be classified as a neurological disorder. I just wish I was born 100 years later.

"Religious belief" is the result of our evolution as a social animal, and the development of our parital and temporal lobes.

Until humans evolve into "something else", we're not going to get rid of religion. And attempts to do so are inherently more destructive to a society than that religion was ever itsself. (See USSR, Peri-War and WWII Germany, Ottoman Empire, Crusades, China, Cambodia)

As the library board or the parks board can tell you, they even vet the $100 bill they use to snort coke off the stomach of a hooker at the board meeting. If it ain't christian, they don't do it. Mysteriously left out of the article.

RidersOfLohan:Have you ever known an atheist who didn't tell anyone and everyone, at every single chance that they are an atheist?

Well, how could you possibly know that? I mean, if they don't mention that they're atheists, you'd never know, right? So, basically everyone you've ever met who hasn't explicitly mentioned that they're religious could have been one of these quiet atheists you're seeking, and you just never noticed...

Forbidden Doughnut:hardinparamedic: Even today I still get crap from the religious because I "believe different". Including being told I should be fired for being an atheist because I didn't actively participate in a prayer during a memorial ceremony earlier this year by someone I work with.

Wow.

It might be time to move to a different part of the county, IMHO. I live in a semi-rural part of Oregon and although we do have Tea-Party types and Rednecks around here, genuine Bible-Thumpers seem to be few in number. I've never seen religious bigotry at my workplace; most of my co-workers seem to be Good-aligned ( in D&D terms )

/ IIRC, Oregon is one of the most "unChurched" States in the USA

There was an article written a few years ago about this very subject. It compared religious fervor and violent crimes. Oregon, Portland in particular, with all the sex industry clubs, medical marijuana and political liberals had the lowest violent crime rate and the fewest fundamentalist religions.I'll see if I can find it.

Did he walk into these places and say "Hi I'm an atheist blogger, I'd like to donate $3000."

It should've never entered the conversation at all. This guy is an asshat.

It appears that the vast majority of donors like to be credited for it. I would not be surprised if this one said something like "Please list this as a donation from The Friendly Athiest Blog".

I agree there's some asshattery involved for anyone who does that, but charities are usually *delighted* to take money with such a simple condition and consider listing donors an important tool in soliciting further donors. Unless they think crediting the donor will offend others, which is sadly likely in this case.

hardinparamedic:"Religious belief" is the result of our evolution as a social animal, and the development of our parital and temporal lobes.

Hahahah no. Religious belief is because for a large part of humanities existence, they would kill anybody who didn't agree with their religions. Only in the past 200 years or so has it been able to have a serious discussion about religion without persecution, and even then in specific pockets of humanity.

AgentPothead:Hahahah no. Religious belief is because for a large part of humanities existence, they would kill anybody who didn't agree with their religions. Only in the past 200 years or so has it been able to have a serious discussion about religion without persecution, and even then in specific pockets of humanity.

hardinparamedic:AgentPothead: Hahahah no. Religious belief is because for a large part of humanities existence, they would kill anybody who didn't agree with their religions. Only in the past 200 years or so has it been able to have a serious discussion about religion without persecution, and even then in specific pockets of humanity.

Yeah. I think I'll listen to actual scientists on this one.

Did you even read what you linked?However, there is disagreement on the exact mechanisms that drove the evolution of the religious mind. There are two schools of thought. One is that religion itself evolved due to natural selection and is an adaptation, in which case religion conferred some sort of evolutionary advantage. Alternatively, religious beliefs and behaviors may have emerged as by-products of other adaptive traits without initially being selected for because of their own benefits.

The exact mechanisms that drove religious belief were very simple. Grok says he is chosen by earth god to rule. You disagree with Grok? Grok smash your skull and eat the delicious brain stem. It's not much different than how you hairless apes act now. Well at least you stopped cannibalizing each other and the neanderthals.

RobSeace:RidersOfLohan: Have you ever known an atheist who didn't tell anyone and everyone, at every single chance that they are an atheist?

Well, how could you possibly know that? I mean, if they don't mention that they're atheists, you'd never know, right? So, basically everyone you've ever met who hasn't explicitly mentioned that they're religious could have been one of these quiet atheists you're seeking, and you just never noticed...

You have to admit, it's clever. Anyone who says "that can't be true, I'm an atheist." has just validated the claim.

AgentPothead:The exact mechanisms that drove religious belief were very simple. Grok says he is chosen by earth god to rule. You disagree with Grok? Grok smash your skull and eat the delicious brain stem. It's not much different than how you hairless apes act now. Well at least you stopped cannibalizing each other and the neanderthals.

/facepalm

So the structure and function of the brain, and it's evolution had nothing to do with religious belief? This is what you want to go with?

Especially since preliminary studies have shown higher sensitivity to, and production of dopamine in the temporal lobes of those who identify as religious? Or how "religious experiences" are evoked by hypotension/shock, certain synthetic cannabanoids, psyclobin and peyote?

hardinparamedic:AgentPothead: The exact mechanisms that drove religious belief were very simple. Grok says he is chosen by earth god to rule. You disagree with Grok? Grok smash your skull and eat the delicious brain stem. It's not much different than how you hairless apes act now. Well at least you stopped cannibalizing each other and the neanderthals.

/facepalm

So the structure and function of the brain, and it's evolution had nothing to do with religious belief? This is what you want to go with?

Especially since preliminary studies have shown higher sensitivity to, and production of dopamine in the temporal lobes of those who identify as religious? Or how "religious experiences" are evoked by hypotension/shock, certain synthetic cannabanoids, psyclobin and peyote?

Of course the structure of the brain has a ton do do with religious belief. I'm saying that the reason there are more religious people than not, is that a long time ago before you could even be truly considered human, the religious ones ate the non religious ones. More people with broken brains reproducing than non broken brains. In about 52 years religious people will be found out to have chemical imbalances that are easily fixed. It will be the high point of human civilization. Then you'll all die to a phone that wasn't properly disinfected. Which will be the high point for the planet earth.

Pitabred:Popular Opinion: Pitabred: Popular Opinion: JohnnyC: Christians... if you're not one of them, you're their enemy. They have a very long history proving that... as hard as they can.

what would you know about it johnny? tell me why you think you know.

there is a big difference between not believing in something and bashing people that do believe.this intolerance is why real atheists want to distance themselves with your typical fark atheist.

When did atheists vote to outlaw gay marriage? To try to sneak non-science into science classrooms? Use public money for solely religious proselytization and benefit?

Oh, right. That never happened. I'll bash all of those actions, because those actions are incompatible with democracy and a sane, pluralistic society. Believe whatever mumbo-jumbo you want on your own time. Don't try to force it on me or make me pay for it. You've just got your panties in a twist because you're finally being called on your bullsh*t. Being told you don't have the extra privilege you think you should isn't bashing or persecution, sparky.

more people i know that have never been to any church that hate gays than people that claim to be christian.the new testament teaches "judge not, lest you be judged", therefore, anyone that bashes gays is not christian.

Oh, since you claim on the Internet that you don't know any Christians that hate gay people, especially in contravention to very public voting records and polling, I guess there's no problem. Thanks!

Just because someone disapproves of something you like (ie:Homosexuality), it does not mean they hate homosexuals. But that isn't a reason to get your panties in a knot, is it? Homosexuals have been using this fuzzy logic for years to induce a guilt trip on liberals. It is much like saying "If you disagree with Sharpton/Jackson/Obama then it is because you are racist" or, "if you disapprove of abortion you have declared a 'war on women'".

/if you don't believe in somebody else's mythology/fantasy and it basically doesn't affect your life in any way, why waste the time and effort thinking on it in the first place? Good question, yet FARK went full derp mode supporting the closing of a faith based food kitchen just a few short weeks ago. But it is fun watching Fark hypocrates flip-flop to the other side today.

You mean the kitchen that received public subsidies while also mandating that religious propaganda go with all meals they gave out? They totes have a right to operate, just not with the assistance of tax dollars.

CowardlyLion:JohnnyC: Christians(Nearly?) every powerful, conservative group or organization in the history of mankind... if you're not one of them, you're their enemy. They have a very long history proving that... as hard as they can.

FTFY.

/if you don't believe in somebody else's mythology/fantasy and it basically doesn't affect your life in any way, why waste the time and effort thinking on it in the first place?

I agree with you in principle; however, it's kind of hard not to think about it when the news bombards us every day with stories about religious people trying to impose their particular beliefs on everyone else, often to the detriment of others, and even society as a whole.

I've never had any issues with people hassling me personally about my atheism (although I don't generally mention it unless somebody asks), and I'm always respectful of other people's views, at least to their faces. (I reserve the right to privately mock those who openly trumpet their faith but feel perfectly free to lie, cheat, steal, etc., because that kind of hypocrisy pisses me off.) On the other hand, I've had people ask me, apparently seriously, what keeps me from killing people, stealing, etc. if I don't believe in god. Which makes it hard not to wonder whether the only thing stopping them from going on a murder spree is that god said not to, because that's actually pretty farking terrifying.

The fact that any organization would be afraid to accept a donation from an atheist because they think religious people might withdraw their support in response is a perfect example of how ridiculous things have gotten in this country. Because they're right, it's entirely possible that could happen, and that's so blindingly stupid that it makes me clutch my head like a stunned monkey.

Christians believe their views are given to them and sanctioned by a loving God, and therefore cannot be hateful. Christ told them to love each other, but they, like the rest of us, still really want to hate people; unbelievers, homosexuals, whatever. What to do?

Well, some of them will take Christ at his word and genuinely try to love their neighbours as themselves. Of course, confronting and overcoming your own hatred is difficult, and not for everybody; the rest must redefine hatred so that they can hate people and still be Christians.

They came up with the specious "hate the sin, love the sinner" canard, which cleverly relieves them of the burden of self-examination, and allows them to lovingly condemn gays or unbelievers or Papists to hell for all time, in Christ's mercy.

Religion is at its most horrifying when it deliberately twists hatred into love.

So the structure and function of the brain, and it's evolution had nothing to do with religious belief? This is what you want to go with?

Especially since preliminary studies have shown higher sensitivity to, and production of dopamine in the temporal lobes of those who identify as religious? Or how "religious experiences" are evoked by hypotension/shock, certain synthetic cannabanoids, psyclobin and peyote?

Religion is because people can't handle the world. Religion gives very simple, pleasant, and easy to digest answers to all of life's difficult questions. "Where did we come from? Why are we here? Why do this bizarre, seemingly random things happen?" And the single biggest one of them all, "What happens to use when we die?"

People are troubled by questions like that. Not having the answer is painful to them. And the very idea that their existence, reason for being, and happenings of the world is 100% chance bothers them. It makes them feel small, disposable, and helpless. And that big one. They idea that one simply stops existing when they die is enough to destroy a person from the inside.

So they turn to religion. Now all of those painful questions and worries in life have easy answers. And after this life is over with they get to be happy, forever!

Why are their brains flooded with dopamine? Because they're happy as a pig in shiat because they have nary a care in the world because they no longer have to worry about all of life's difficult questions and happenings.

It gives them an easy out to feeling happy by escaping reality to live in another. Religion makes them feel special. It makes them feel like they have a purpose. It takes the scary out of life. It answers the questions about what anything happens. They no longer have the think for themselves. They no longer have to worry. They no longer have to fear.

Religion is a crutch for those who are too weak to function otherwise.

No, this isn't a troll. It's not a flattering thing to say about anything, but it's the truth. I understand that some people simply can't cope and need this crutch in life. I feel bad for them. Although I don't condone it; I understand.

This reminds me of talking with someone. He was trying to chose between 2 reasons why something bad was happening. He couldn't figure out which it was. I asked him why he didn't entertain this particular third idea, which was the most likely explanation. He response was, "Because that would be too depressing."

Look at damn near every single religion. They all do that thing where they answer life's difficult questions and tell one how to live."What is that hot ball of burning in the sky?""A dung beetle is pushing a ball of fire across they sky""Why are there seasons?""Some biatch in control of nature ate 6/12 seeds and now has to spend half of the year in hell. When she's gone, shiat gets cold.""Where did we come from?""Some big dude spent a week creating existence and created some smaller dude in his own image. But afterwards was unable to do it again so he took piece of this creation as fodder to create another creation. He did not give these creations the knowledge to make intelligent decisions or recognize danger. He then created something that is entirely forbidden for these creations to interact with and placed it within their reach. And for some reason also felt the need to create a talking animal whose greatest pleasure is trying to fark over these creations by convincing these creatures who lack intelligence to partake of this forbidden thing which their creator placed right in front of them. He set these creations up for failure and then blamed them when they failed. Shiat got worse from there."

Oh, since you claim on the Internet that you don't know any Christians that hate gay people, especially in contravention to very public voting records and polling, I guess there's no problem. Thanks!

Just because someone disapproves of something you like (ie:Homosexuality), it does not mean they hate homosexuals. But that isn't a reason to get your panties in a knot, is it? Homosexuals have been using this fuzzy logic for years to induce a guilt trip on liberals. It is much like saying "If you disagree with Sharpton/Jackson/Obama then it is because you are racist" or, "if you disapprove of abortion you have declared a 'war on women'".

Words have meanings and it is good to know what those meanings are

So, if I understand your logic correctly, you would assert that someone that votes for slavery is not a racist and doesn't hate black people?

Feel free to disapprove of homosexuality. It's an ignorant stance, but that's your right. When you start trying to make other people do things you don't like, that don't have any effect on you? That's when it gets into homophobia.

Liberals aren't guilted into this stuff. We simply think other people should be treated as people. I know, I know, it's a really hard concept for "conservatives", that seem to believe that if we don't all believe in the same sky daddy and wear the same style of jackboots that the country is going down the drain, but hear me out... sometimes people are different. And that's ok. Trying to force everyone to be like you is a precursor to and tactic of pretty much every "evil empire" in history.

grumpfuff:I drunk what: grumpfuff: Is today strawman day on Fark or something?

nice strawman you got there pal

"I know you are but what am I"? Seriously? That's your defense?

1. it's kind of hard to respond to a post that only has my id in it and not the post that you referring to... (miner detail lelz)2. your obviously trying to misrepresent what I said as some sort of charakichure of all enlightened atheists beliefs, ergo a poorly built strawman, ipso facto to support your defense for criticizing me, visa vi you're strawman sucks and you should feel ashamed... QED.3.??4. Profit.

I drunk what:1. it's kind of hard to respond to a post that only has my id in it and not the post that you referring to... (miner detail lelz)

Here's a secret. If you click on the name, it takes you to the post I was referring to. I meant the whole thing.

I drunk what:2. your obviously trying to misrepresent what I said as some sort of charakichure of all enlightened atheists beliefs, ergo a poorly built strawman, ipso facto to support your defense for criticizing me, visa vi you're strawman sucks and you should feel ashamed... QED.

You're really not very good at this, are you? Usually, when you troll, you want to make is as inconspicuous as possible.